Stereo Only Works Sometimes, Amp Ground?

[TravisAZ]

Hey guys, I have a weird problem with my 2001 yukon. First off, I have only had the vehicle a couple of months, and it came with a crap-tastic dual stereo that I see @ walmart for like 40$.

 

The problem is that about 50% of the time when I start the truck, I get lights and full fuctionality at the head unit, but no sound to the speakers. Once the vehcile is started, and there is no sound, there is no way to get it to come on - i.e. turning the head unit on off, switching sources, etc.

 

The wierd thing is it is totally random. Sometimes it is when I first start the truck up for the day. Sometimes it is after I stop some where and turn the truck on/off. Sometimes it works several times in a row, and sometimes it doesn't work several times in a row. The kicker is once the vehicle is running, the stereo either works or deosn't work (whatever it decided to do when I started it) until the vehicle is shut down again. I have never had the stereo quit on me while I was driving, or start up if it wasn't working while I was driving. This seems to eliminate a loose connection somewhere as a potential problem, as you would think it would cut in/out as the truck was driven over bumps, etc.

 

It looks like the truck probably had the CD player in it originally, as I have the stand-alone tape deck down below the climate control. My hunch is the previous owner had some sort of DVD system in there or something and took it out and put the dual in before he sold it. There is a mess of unattached wires under the passengers seat, and there is a GPS antenna on the drives side rear glass. There are no BOSE markings anywhere in the vehicle. Also, I do have the rear seat audio controls and ON-Star.

 

At first I thought the head unit was getting hot or something, or was just a piece of junk, but now I am wondering if there is an amp somewhere that is shorting out or something. Did my truck come with an AMP? IF so, where the heck would it be located? Is it possible I have the BOSE system even though there are no markings? My 2003 Silvy SS had BOSE nameplates EVERYWHERE.

 

Here is a pic of the wiring harnesses behind the stereo, which seem original and un-molested.

 

[ChRoNo16]

If you have the rear audio controls, chances are there is an in line amp somewhere, Bose or not. they are popular now. YOu need a bypass wiring harness for the amp, its killing your sound because the head unit cant be wired to it nice. Im sorry I dont have time to find the right one for you. But try Crutchfield, they should have exactly what you need to get the unit working. Maybe a nicer head unit for you too!